Contributors

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Hey pallies, gotta 'fess up that we are later then usual in our Dino-gramin' this last day of the month of May, but if this particular case, we gotta sez that we are totally totally thrilled to be so 'cause it allows us to share our deepest of deeply devoted to Dino dude Scotty's most recent Dino-devotion posted earlier this very Dino-day at his bountifully beau-ti-ful blog "BlueisKewl."

This time 'round Scotty has shared a beaut of a beaut, powerfully potent pose of our most beloved Dino catchin' some rays while relaxin' on the movie set of the cool caper a la the Rat Pack tagged "Sergeants 3." Likes we knows that we have seen this particular pix of our Dino before, but we ain't remember postin' here, so we are pleased as punch to have our Scotty-o sharin' with all his remarkable readership so that we can share it here as well.

Likes in addition to this awesomely amazin' incredible image of our Dino, Scotty also has posted an image of an original theatre poster advertin' said flick as well as some potent prose that gives us all more delightful details 'bout "Sergeants 3." We learned a couple of cool details that we don't remember hearin' before.

Once 'gain we sez our greatly grateful thank you very much to our Dino-pallie of Dino-pallies Scotty for helpin' spread his deep devotion to our Dino at his blog "BlueisKewl" and allowin' us to post it here as well. To checks this out at it's original source, likes simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Always, Dino, Always, DMP

Dean Martin Relaxing on the set of the Movie 'Sergeants 3' 1961

Sergeants 3 is a 1962 remake of Gunga Din (1939) set in the American West, directed by John Sturges and featuring Rat Pack icons Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. It was the last film to feature all five members of the Rat Pack due to Sinatra's falling out with Lawford.

Directed by John Sturges, written by W. R. Burnett, and produced by Frank Sinatra, the movie features Sinatra in the Victor McLaglen role, Martin in the Cary Grant part, Lawford replacing Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Davis in Sam Jaffe's originally titular supporting part. It was filmed in Kanab, Utah. The Thugee cult is replaced by the Ghost dancers with Michael Pate and Henry Silva appearing as Indians.

Sinatra wanted to use the title Soldiers Three but couldn't get the rights as the title was owned by MGM for another Gunga Din-inspired story set in India. Soldiers Three was a 1951 film, based on Rudyard Kipling's story, that starred David Niven, Walter Pidgeon and Stewart Granger.

Each of the Rat Pack's films contained a numeral in its title. The others were: Ocean's 11 (1960), Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964, with Joey Bishop absent and Bing Crosby replacing Peter Lawford), and 4 for Texas with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress as the four in the title, Charles Bronson as a villain, and the Three Stooges as additional comedy relief. Sinatra said of these Rat Pack films: "Of course they're not great movies, no one could claim that... but every movie I've made through my own company has made money."

The only Rat Pack film not produced by Sinatra was Ocean's 11, which earned $4.3 million in rentals at the North American box office, being ranked by Variety as the 14th highest-earning film of 1960.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Welcome, my friends! Happy Memorial Day weekend! Man o man...can't believe 'nother year has come & gone since I was pickin' a GREAT GREAT Dino-jam for this VERY important holiday! Where do the days go, pals?! Hey, guess what? No biggie. We is just sailin' through this life with a song & a prayer, pallies. Singin' some Dino & prayin' for the best. That's all we really can do! Just do our best...appreciate EVERY day we is here & make SURE to 'member those who helped get us here! That's what this day is actually ALL 'bout, pals! 'Memberin' those TRUE heroes who fought the good fight to preserve this GREAT GREAT country of ours! Past & present...we owe them a special prayer. It's ALSO a day to appreciate those PERSONAL heroes who make, or made, our lives better. Moms, Dads, family & friends...they too deserve some praise! After all, mi amici...MANY sacrifices have been made to help us gets where we is! I can thinks of MANY today, who help/helped me, in some way, live a better life! Now, pallies...who more than Dino...helps us on a day to day basis...to live a better life? Few, if any! Haha!! It's true, my friends! A song from Dean gets my day started & keeps me sailin'... 'til my head hits the pillow again! Yes, mam! Ha! He's the REAL deal, pals. One of my true heroes. Let this week's Serenade, "Until The Real Thing Comes Along", remind us ALL...that CERTAIN people...our REAL heroes... may have come & gone...but they will REALLY be with us ALWAYS! They need to be 'membered & honored, ALWAYS! We owe them a lot! Enjoy the day, mi amici! Have a fun & safe weekend & keep on sailin'! Ha!

I'd work for you, I'd slave for youI'd be a beggar or knave for youIf that isn't love, it'll have to doUntil the real thing comes along

I'd gladly move the earth for youTo prove my love dear and it's worth to youIf that isn't love, it'll have to doUntil the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my commandI just can't make you understandI'll always love you darlin', come what mayMy heart is yours what more can I say

I'd sigh for you oh I'll cry for youI'd tear the stars down from the sky for youIf that isn't love, it'll have to doUntil the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my commandI just can't make you understandI'll always love you darlin', come what mayMy heart is yours what more can I say

I'd sigh for you and I'll cry for youI'd tear the stars down from the sky for youIf that ain't love, it'll have to doUntil the real thing comes alongUntil the real thing comes alongUntil the real thing comes along

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Hey pallies, likes stop the presses pallies, likes we gotta 'fess up that we almost forgot to check in with the Stu-ville pallies to checks out what will be shakin' at Dino-fest 2016. Likes when we landed on the homepage for the festival we discovered that this is likes the 20th anniversary of this yearly homagin' of our most beloved Dino by his hometown always always takin' place over Daddy-o Weekend each year.

Likes below is the logo as well as the schedule of events takin' place June 16-18 in Stubenville. The Dino-fest activities seem to be very similiar to past celebrations, but likes we are totally totally pumped to see that this year the committee has come up with the swankest of swank way to involve kiddies in showin' their deepest of deep devotion to our most beloved Dino.

For the first time the Festival is havin' a Dino-colorin' Contest sponsored by the local Stu-ville Golden Arches. That's correct pallies the Stubenville Mcdonald's is offerin' tykes and tots the opportunity to use their crayons and markers to show their personal passion for our one and only Dino. Below are the examples of the colorin' sheets that children will use to enter the Dino-colorin' contest. Now likes how cool is that.

Likes if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-message and go to the official site of the Dean Martin Festival you will be able to click on the colorin' sheets to get larger editions that you can share with your youthful Dino-devotees to enjoy colorin' whether or not they can get 'em to Stu-ville to enter the official contest. We salute the offical Dino-fest plannin' committee and all the pallies who call our Dino's birthplace their pad and wish 'em the best as they welcome Dino-holics from all over the Dino-globe for this year's Dino-fest. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Friday, May 27, 2016

Hey pallies, likes less then two short weeks 'go we shared with all youse Dino-philes one of today's youth, Mr. Brian McCauley doin' awesomely amazin' energetic emulation of our Dino as he crooned our Dino's signature song "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime." Youse can review that post HERE. Likes at that time we thought we wouldn't be sharin' 'nother Dino-gram likes that for a long long time 'cause as we have said before, there are just too too many pallies croonin' Dino-tunes on youtube to accent 'em all.

BUT, likes that was before our pallies at google Dino-'lerts just yesterday directed us to yet 'nother of today's nouveau hipsters, Mr. Shaunt Dawson and his coolest of cool covers of 'nother Dino-classic "Sway." From the moment that we heard Shaunt do his vid intro sayin'..."Hey guys, I'm going to be doing one of my favorite songs, "Sway" by Dean Martin," and then as we listened to his cool cool croonin', likes we knew that we MUST MUST create some Dino-devotion so that the larger Dino-world would give Shaunt a listen! Likes, it is radically refreshin' to find so so many of today's youth turnin' on to the Dino-sound!

This appears to be Shuant's first vid effort on youtube, but we sure hope it ain't his last. We are awestruck by this testimony of yet 'nother of today's talented youth bein' drawn into the Dino-fold through their powerful passion for our Dino's tunes. We thanks Mr. Shaunt Dawson for sharin' his talent and am sure that he will draw many others of his generation into a deeper knowin', lovin' and honorin' of our one, our only Dino! In Dino, DMP

Dean Martin Sway Cover

Shaunt Dawson

Published on May 25, 2016

Just a short video of me singing Sway by Dean Martin. :)
Instagram: shauntdawson

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-gram comes to us in response to yester-Dino-day's post on the upcomin' release in early June of the UK import Dino-al-b-um collection "60 Essential Tracks Dean Martin." Likes how appro that our deeply diggin' Dino-holic Graham from the UK scribed a choice collection of well written words 'bout some of the desires of his Dino-heart after his daily read of ilovedinomartin.

Graham's, as youse Dino-philes will remember is 'mong the most blessed of blessed Dino-addicts ever as he got to meet our most beloved Dino in person while our Dino was playin' the London Palladium in 1987. You can read Graham's remarkable remembrance ruminations HERE. Below Graham shares some of his greatest of great yearnin's when it come to the releasin' of previous unreleased treasure from our great great man. And, likes, of course, we completely concur with each and everyone of his Dino-desires!!!!!

We thanks our Graham for droppin' ilovedinomartin pallies some powerfully potent patter, and all we can say is that we hope that Graham is granted the deepest desires of his deepest of deep Dino-heart!
And, likes of course, we hopes that Graham for soon bestow on his more of his incredible insights into our one and only Dino! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Hi from the shores of Great Britain . I know it's always nice to see another CD release of Dean's vast catalogue of work , as it continues to spread his many talents to audiences Worldwide , especially the new "Deanagers", who may only just be realizing how gifted our man was .

All these compilation releases are wonderful for them , but what would be REALLY nice for everyone, is for someone to release the tracks that Dean has recorded , and have NEVER seen the light of day . At the moment all we seem to get are repackaged tracks in a new picture sleeve.
Perhaps next year , Dean's 100th , may set a new trend with the Dean Martin Family Trust, or whoever, to release rare items from of Dean, items that aren't readily available at the moment . They could make a huge impact.

This includes several "shelved " songs that have been recorded , and of course the many shows , specials and concerts that for some reason have never been shown , which is a huge shame .
Even his 1983 Concert was not broadcast in it's original form , and suffered drastic editing.
His Variety Club lunch with Princess Anne, at the London Hilton, would have been wonderful to see in it's fullness, especially the sequence in which he sang "Where Or When ", with Joe Loss and his Orchestra . Why wasn't that included !!??

There must be so much on shelves somewhere,waiting for someone to decide to blow off those cob-webs.

People want to see all this and hear all this . Come on all you in control of things , please give us something really exiting and new .

The planned Hologram is something to look forward to , but in my mind again , possibly should be released next year on Dean's 100th Birthday . And what could be a better place for it's Las Vegas debut than the MGM Grand !!

These are just some of my frustrated thoughts,from an absolute HUGE HUGE fan of Dean. Something that I've been for 50 years, and continue to be.
All best regards, Graham.
Take a look around.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Hey pallies, likes as we were doin' our usual searchin' for Dino-treasure, we wandered upon an upcomin' Dino-al-bum bein' released in early June just in time for the celebratin' of our most beloved Dino's 99th anniversary of his comin' to our planet. The tag of this new release is 60 Essential Tracks Dean Martin and it's a Brit import from the label Big 3.

The list price is a mere 11.99 for this three disc collection, and as noted in the title it contains 60---count 'em---60 of our Dino's coolest of cool croons, which you will find listed below. Likes doin' the math pallies likes that's comes out to 'bout 20 cents a croon! This woulda makes a great starter CD set for those young in their Dino-devotion as just 'bout 10% of our Dino's recorded songs are contained in this swank set.

We certainly are goin' to put our order in asap to our local store to grab a copy of newest of new Dino-release and are sure than many of you Dino-philes are goin' to do the same. We are perfectly positive that this new release will be just the start of many many new Dino-offerin's as we draw closer and closer to our main man's 100 birthday anniversary on June 7, 2017. Ever enthralled with our Ever-Lovin' Dino, DMP

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Hey pallies, likes gots 'nother very very important Dino-date in history to honor this very Dino-day. From the pallies at the historical pad "Famous Daily" comes the reminder that it was on this very day, May 24 in the year of our Dino 1974 that the last episode of the Dean Martin Variety Show was broadcast over the peacock network.

From the pen of Mr. Gary Satanovsky comes the remembrance that after a stunnin' 9 year run, with the very impressive number of 264 episodes aired, the greatest show in all of television history came to a close. ilovedinomartin appreciates Mr. Gary Satanovsky and the pallies at "Famous Daily" for remindin' all us Dino-holics of this hugely historic day in the life and times of our great man. To view this in it's original format per usual, just clicks on the tag of these Dino-thoughts.

Likes as a little Dino-bonus, in honor of this 42nd anniverary of the airin' of our most beloved Dino most beloved small screen programme, we are goin' to share a trio of youtube vid clips of some of our most fav fav moments.....two featurin' "concerts" of our Dino with the Golddiggers, and that marvelous medley featurin' our Dino and Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-honorin', DMP

Last episode of Dean Martin show

by Gary Satanovsky on May 24, 2012

Dean Martin’s early performances were decent but not great, his crooner style singing unable to escape the shadows of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. So Martin decided to turn to comedy. His first show, teaming up with a young comic, Jerry Lewis, ran through a series of completely improvised routines. Some were vaudeville classics, some taken out of thin air, and all had the audience howling in laughter. Martin made a name for himself with Lewis, but always thought of himself as a solo actor, and parlayed his considerable fame into a fruitful career in television.

On this day, May 24, 1974, after a nine-year and 264-episode run the hugely popular Dean Martin Show broadcast its last episode.

Of all the acts hosted by Dean Martin, perhaps the most enduring was of the singing and dancing troupe The Goldiggers. Martin’s show was their first television appearance, and he liked them well enough to work their routines into this Vegas stage acts and give them his television spot during his the summer recess months. The Goldiggers were one of the acts that appeared on his last episode, paying their respects to the man that got them into showbusiness.

Hey pallies, likes we just never ever know what will turn up next accentin' our one, our only Dino. Likes we are not in the custom of postin' Dino-images a lot. Not because there are zillions and zillions of Dino-pixs to share, but 'cause if we did, that woulda be all that we woulda gets to here at ilovedinomartin. But, likes every now and then some powerfully potent poses of our most beloved Dino totally totally turns us on and we can't resist passin' 'em on to Dino-holics everywhere.

So today, courtesy of the new-to-ilovedinomartin blog search engine "TWINGLY" we takes youse to incredible image pad "tumblr" where some dude who tags them self "iamdinomartins"....a homagin' handle that completely intrigues us dudes....where said blogger has shared two perfect poses of our main man circa 1965. Likes, we have seen the first pose likes tons of time, but we gotta 'fess up that we don't ever remember settin' our eyes on the second.

Likes ain't it awesomely amazin' the innumerable wondrous ways that our Dino can use his extraordinary express eyes and the marvelous muscles of his face to grab out total total attention and brings us to our knees in awesome adulation?!?!?!?! We thinks that if we lives a thousand years we still woulda never ever gets tired of viewin' our King of Cool and we know that we woulda never ever run out of Dino-pixs to uncover.

We thanks our Dino-lovin' pallie "iamdinomartins" for sharin' these illustrious images of our Dino with the wider Dino-world. To checks this out in it's original form, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-pleasured, DMP

Monday, May 23, 2016

Hey pallies, likes a bit 'go dudes we were really bummed 'cause likes when we tried to access google blog search to do our usual daily dose of Dino-searchin' what came up was simple the regular google search engine....and everytime we have tried since, no can do. It appears that the google blog search has been put outta commission permanently.

So, likes what do we do now dudes? Likes, we decided to search for other web sources for searchin' blogs for our most beloved Dino and we found a few, but so far the best one we have located is a blog search tagged "TWINGLY" and it has so far provided some deeply deeply delightful Dino-treasure to share with all youse Dino-holics, includin' today's Dino-gram...so we are terrifically thankful for new ways to access Dino-scribin's on the 'net.

So, through the courtesy of TWINGLY blog search we share with you a potent post from the self-tagged blog "Brick Wahl - I'm a writer. But there are zillions of writers. Here's some of my stuff." Likes when we were directed to Mr. Wahl's pad, we sez to ourselves, "we've been hear before"....likes with a tag likes "Brick Wahl," one ain't likely to forget it.

We did a bit of researchin' the ol' ilovedinomartin archives and found THIS POST by Mr. Wahl that we shared almost a year 'go on May 15, 2015. We tagged this powerful post "Nothing is more Dean Martin than Dean Martin"....words taken directly from Brick's remarkable reflections on Stan Cornyn's al-b-um liner notes from our Dino's disc "Happiness Is Dean Martin." Truly Brick is a keen knower of deep digger of our one and only Dino, so we are most delighted to today return to his blog for more Dino-edification.

His recent Dino-scribin's are tagged "I’m a Poached Egg," that refers to a song taken from the Dino-epic "Kiss Me Stupid." We deeply digs how Mr. Wahl refers to how.... "The critics hated Kiss Me Stupid," but himself proudly proclaims " I love Kiss Me Stupid." Need we say more pallies...Mr. Brick Wahl has the bestest of best Dino-taste! You are goin' to have to read Wahl's wise words for youselves to get their incredible impact dudes!

We once 'gain salute blogger Mr. Brick Wahl for more awesome adulation of our King of Cool at his ubber unique blog. We wishes that many more pallies have Brick's intriguin' insights to our main man! To checks this out in it's original source, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report.
Dino-delightedly, DMP

I’m a Poached Egg

I remember the first time I ever saw Kiss Me Stupid (probably on TCM, who rescued it from the Pauline Kael Home for the Morally Depraved) and Dean Martin (as Dino) runs into a police roadblock and says What’s the matter? That Sinatra kid missing again? I knew Billy Wilder had pulled out all the stops, as the kidnapping had only happened a few months before. I always wondered what Frank said. It was a funny line, after all, and a laugh is a laugh. It was certainly funnier than anything in Robin and the 7 Hoods, which Frank was making at the time, with Dean Martin, and which the critics thought was just fine, even though it’s not especially funny, and they forgot to keep the palm trees out of the shots. Palm trees in Chicago. A lotta laughs. But Frank was distracted with the kidnapping, and who cares about a stray palm tree in a dumb movie anyway

The critics hated Kiss Me Stupid. They hated the story, they hated the script, they hated the cast (Peter Sellers was supposed to play the Ray Walston part, incidentally, but had a heart attack on the set.) I love Kiss Me Stupid. Now Irma La Douce I’m not too nuts about, it kind of drags on about an hour and a half too long, though it might have made a nice two parter sitcom–but at least that didn’t bring about the fall of western civilization like Dino’s hand in Kim Novak’s kleenex box did. The Catholic Legion of Decency went through the countryside, trying to scare up another crusade. By the hand of God the movie flopped, was pulled from the theaters, and Billy Wilder shamed and broken (he made one more minor classic, The Fortune Cookie, and then a string of box office losers), but it was too late. Pretty soon everyone is running around naked and the seventies began in a cloud of cocaine. But we know why. I’m a Poached Egg, that’s why

But then what do I know from movies anyway? I don’t even like Ingmar Bergman films. But I do know funny, and I’m a Poached Egg is funny. Maybe not the way it was intended, not as Ira Gershwin wrote it. George was working up I Got Rhythm. Ira comes in with some lyrics. George is on the melody, da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da. I’m a poached egg, Ira sings, without a piece of cheese. I’m Da Vinci, without the Mona Leez. Mona Leez? George yells, and threatens to call Cole Porter.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Welcome back & get ready to Cha Cha, pallies! Have I gots us a TRULY fun fun & romantico tune this week! I is gonna keep that "Latin-type vibe" goin' on this week's Serenade & throw a little "Amor" at youse! It's off Dean's "Cha Cha de Amor" al b um & is COM PLETE LY filled with latin beats & pure pure lyrical gold! Amor Amor Amor...this word is just SO SO sweet that Dino MUST repeat! Now youse tell me ol' pals o mine...what senora who's worth her weight in vino could POSSIBLY deny our great pal's heart that were placed before her???!!! These are words of TRUE TRUE passion & SMOLDERIN' embers of HOT burnin' desire here, pals!!! Man...is it gettin' warm in here?!!! Haha!!C'mon now people! This is Dino Latino at his finest!!! "When your away there is no day & night's are lonely...make my life devine, say you'll be mine & love me only!' Oh my God, pals!!! ALL the ladies must be meltin' over this one! Hahaha!!! One last thin', my friends...I gots to warn youse...these Cha Cha Cha-in' beats... just MAY get even the STIFFEST hips movin' & the TIREDEST feets groovin'! Haha!! There! Youse has been warned! Ha! Now... let's keep the Dino & the vino flowin' til' next week, pallies! Get up & move!!! Salute!

Amor amor amorThis word so sweet that I repeatMeans I have adored youAmor amor my loveWill you deny this heart that I have placed before you

I can't find another word with meaning so clearMy lips try to whisper sweeter things in your earSomehow or other nothing sounds quite so dearAs this soft caressing word I know

Amor amor my loveWhen you're away there is no day and nights are lonelyAmor amor my lovemy life divine say you'll be mine and love me only

I can't find another word with meaning so clearMy lips try to whisper sweeter things in your earSomehow or other nothing sounds quite so dearAs this soft caressing word I know

Amor amor my loveWhen you're away there is no day and nights are lonelyAmor amor my loveMake my life divine say you'll be mine and love me onlyMake my life divine say you'll be mine and love me onlyMake my life divine say you'll be mine and love me only

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Hey pallies, likes time for some true Dino-confession dudes. We gotta 'fess up that IF today's Dino-devotion had been posted at an Americano pad, we likes probably woulda nots shared it with all youse Dino-holics 'cause likes it is sorta a common kinda post, 'though truly nothin' and we mean 'nothin is common 'bout our most beloved Dino.

Why we couldn't resist sharin' this is mucho more 'cause of the source of the info then the info itself. We share this particular Dino-devotion 'cause it's source is intriguin'ly international in Dino-scope.
Today's Dino-activity originates from the Portuguese blog pad tagged "Sucessos Esquecidos - Sucessos do presente são sucessos esquecidos no futuro," which translates into English as "Achievements Forsaken - Gift successes are successes forgotten in the future." To our way of thinkin' that title is provocatively evocative for sure.

The blogger is from Maia, Porto, Portugal and is named at the blog as Adriano Reis 'though when you take the link to his facebook page it is Filipe Reis. Either way Mr. Reis has posted a youtube vid of that classic comedy team of Martin and Lewis starrin' in the 1951 silver screen fun and frolic of "That's My Boy." It's the perfect Dino-diversion for Dino-philes viewin' pleasure, and we gotta also 'fess up that this is Mr. Reis' first post accentin' our most beloved Dino and we are quite curious why he chose this particular Dino-effort. We may have to quire him 'bout this when we comment.

We thank Mr. Andriano Reis for spreadin' some delightful devotion of our Dino at his blog, surely to help his remarkable readership grow deeper and deeper in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our one and only Dino. To checks this out in it's original source, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

620 de maio de 201

Dean Martin

Friday, May 20, 2016

Hey pallies, likes we infrequently offer more then one Dino-gram of Dino-devotion each day, but today we have breakin' new likes 'specially for our pallies to the north in Canada in and 'round Brantford, ON where radio station CKPC-FM - FM 92.1, Jewel 92 - Lite & Refreshin' fills the airwaves with cool.

Jewel 92 radio personality Mr. Kent Chambers scribed an entry today at their 'net pad announcin' the delightful news that this very evenin' from 7 to 8 p.m. (Canadian time) our most beloved Dino's croons will fill their airwaves durin' their programme tagged "The Lounge." Likes we knew that we couldn't way 'til the morrow to gets this out 'cause it woulda be too too late for Dino-holics in that part of the Dino-globe to partake of the Dino-celebration.

As part of the post Kent shares a youtube vid of our Dino's swankest of swank signature croon, "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime." We thank Mr. Kent Chambers for gettin' the Dino-word out and for all the pallies at the station who are havin' our Dino's reign of cool shared this evenin'...likes just wishes we coulda tune in for these fantastic festivities a la Dino! To checks this out in it's original source, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Dino-delightedly, DMP

Hey pallies, likes it ain't been that long 'go that we shared a Dino-centric post that awesomely accented the remarkable relationship between our most beloved Dino and his entertainin' pallie Mr. Engelbert Humperdinck. Well, likes today we gets 'nother op to share how the devotion between Engelbert and our Dino continues.

Today we takes all youse Dino-philes to the online presence of the "Daily Herald" where Mr. Ron Onesti: shares his scribin's tagged "After the Singin', we're still in love with … Engelbert!" Mr. Onesti is president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and The Historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles Illinois that recently hosted Mr. Humperdinck in concert, and who interviewed Engelbert before he played the Arcada Theatre.

Likes, of course the part of the interview that grabbed our Dino-attentionado was the parargraph shared below which tells us that he is still honorin' his connection to our Dino, who was a huge help in helpin' Mr. Humperdinck break into the entertainment biz in 'Vegas baby 'Vegas. And, for your viewin' Dino-pleasure we include a couple of youtube clips from our main man's main show showin' classic moments of deep delight 'tween our Dino and Engelbert.

We thanks Mr. Ron Onesti and the pallies at the "Daily Herald" for spreadin' the news of Mr. Humperdinck's continual devotoin to our one and only Dino. To read the wonderful words in total, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Ron Onesti: After the Singin', we're still in love with … Engelbert!

His show was a combination all-hits concert and career retrospective, including rare video footage of he and Dean Martin doing medleys, a duet with Elton John's voice piped in, a country number with him in a cowboy hat and a couple of choreographed routines with his backup vocalists. He even shared some funny stories of Martin referring to him as "Engledinck Bumpalump!" And his voice? Powerful as ever, with an incredible range. What a night!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Hey pallies, likes any ol' prospector for gold will tells you that when it strikes in one location, more will probably found close at hand. So, likes when we find some delightful Dino-treasure at a blog pad, it's likely that more will be uncovered there as well. Likes that is certainly the case with blogger
Mr. Terence Towles Canote and his beautiful blog. "A SHROUD OF THOUGHTS - DEDICATED TO POP CULTURE IN ALL ITS FORMS."

Likes a few weeks back on April 8 we shared the Dino-gem from Mr. Canote accentin' our most beloved Dino as hipster spyter Matt Helm in Helmer numero uno, "The Silencers," and likes found HERE. In addition, way back in November of 2009 we shared Terence's wonderfully wise words on the Dino-show HERE. Today we swankly share with Dino-holics everywhere Terenece's remarkable review of that Dino-classic of classics, the 1960's "Ocean's 11."

Mr. Canote likes shares his noteworthy knowledge of the history behind how "OC11" got brought to the big screen in the first place and we learned a number of delightful details that we ain't read before, at least in our Dino-memory...givin' us incredibly interestin' insights to the makin' of this fun fun Dino-epic. Likes for us the bestest of best part of Terence's terrific thoughts is his powerful perspective with which we have tagged this Dino-gram..."Arguably it is Dean Martin as Sam Harmon and Sammy Davis, Jr. as Josh Howard who steal the show." We couldn't 'gree with him more on this.

We thanks Mr. Terence Towles Canote for spreadin' some more Dino-delight at his blog "A SHROUD OF THOUGHTS - DEDICATED TO POP CULTURE IN ALL ITS FORMS" and hopes we will find a ton more Dino-adulation there in the future. To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Dino-forever and ever, DMP

FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2015

Ocean's 11 (1960)

Although he was perhaps best known for his singing career, Frank Sinatra made a number of movies through the years. In fact, he even earned a good deal of respect as an actor. He won the Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953) and Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Man with the Golden Arm (1955). He made several movies that were very successful at the box office, including Anchors Aweigh (1945), Pal Joey (1957), and The Manchurian Candidate(1962). Out of all the films that Frank Sinatra made, the one with which I identify him the most won no Oscars, although it did do fairly well the box office. I don't consider Ocean's 11 (1960) to be the best Frank Sinatra movie ever made. It is not even my favourite Frank Sinatra movie, although it numbers among my favourites (perhaps second only to The Manchurian Candidate). That having been said, Ocean's 11 is the movie that comes to my mind when someone mentions Frank Sinatra's films.

Indeed, Ocean's 11 isn't just a Frank Sinatra movie. It is literally a Rat Pack movie. In addition to Frank Sinatra, the film also stars Dean Martin; Sammy Davis, Jr.; Peter Lawford; and Joey Bishop. The film also features a Who's Who of Fifties actors, including Richard Conte, Angie Dickinson, Norman Fell, Buddy Lester, Cesar Romero, Henry Silva, Akim Tamiroff, and Harry Wilson. As if that wasn't enough, Shirley MacLaine, George Raft, and Red Skelton (as himself) have cameos. The film's premise is deceptively simple. Eleven World War II 82nd Airborne veterans plot to rob the Sahara, the Riviera, Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn, the Sands, and the Flamingo casinos in Las Vegas all on New Year's Eve.

While Ocean's 11 starred Frank Sinatra (who played Danny Ocean, the "Ocean" of the title), the film did not originate with him. Instead the genesis for the idea could be traced to a gas station attendant who told director Gilbert Kay about a group of GIs who performed smuggling jobs for the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. Gilbert Kay thought that a film in which such a squadron reunited to perform a heist, perhaps in Las Vegas, could make a good basis for a film. In 1955 he told Peter Lawford about the idea. Mr. Lawford liked the idea, but unfortunately Gilbert Kay also wanted to direct the film. As Gilbert Kay was best known for directing B-movies and television shows, Peter Lawford turned him down.

Gilbert Kay tried to sell his idea to others with no success. By 1959 he still had found no buyers for the idea, so he sold the idea to Peter Lawford. The original story by Jack Golden Russell (allegedly the gas station attendant of Gilbert Kay's story) was co-wirtten by George Clayton Johnson, who would later write for The Twilight Zone as well as co-write the science fiction novel Logan's Run. The screenplay was written by Harry Brown (who had written or co-written such films as Sands of Iwo Jima and A Place in the Sun) and Charles Lederer (who had written or co-written such films as The Front Page andGentlemen Prefer Blondes).

Peter Lawford had pictured William Holden in the lead role of Danny Ocean. As it turned out, Peter Lawford told Frank Sinatra about the project. Frank Sinatra had wanted to make a film with his circle of friends (called the Summit or the Clan, but not yet the Rat Pack) and was immediately intrigued at the idea of Ocean's 11. He bought it from Peter Lawford and his wife for $20,000 and 16% of the gross receipts. To direct the film Frank Sinatra chose Lewis Milestone, who had directed such classics as All Quiet on the Western Front, The Front Page, Of Mice and Men, and A Walk in the Sun. As to the cast, it was largely filled by what would later become known as the Rat Pack.

Ocean's 11 was shot largely on location in Las Vegas. Scenes were shot in each of the casinos (the Flamingo, the Sands, Desert Inn, the Riviera, and the Sahara). Shooting took place from January 26 to February 16 1960, so the casinos had to be persuaded to keep their Christmas decorations up well past the date that they would usually be taken down. While much of Ocean's 11 was shot in Las Vegas, a good deal of it was shot in California as well. The opening scene in a barber shop was shot in Beverly Hills. The scene in the home of Spyros Acebos (played by Akim Tamiroff) were also shot in Beverly Hills. In fact, it was the home of Hollywood agent Kurt Frings. Other scenes were shot at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, as well as Warner Brothers' soundstages in Burbank.

Ocean's 11 premiered on August 10 1960, fittingly enough in Las Vegas. Surprisingly for a film that is now regarded by many as a classic, it received mixed reviews. Variety liked the film, commenting "Labouring under the handicaps of a contrived script, an uncertain approach and personalities in essence playing themselves, the production never quite makes its point, but romps along merrily unconcerned that it doesn't." Bosley Crowther atThe New York Times wasn't quite as impressed, remarking, "Young people are likely to find this more appropriate and bewitching than do their elders. The latter are likely to feel less gleeful in the presence of heroes who rob and steal." A common criticism of Ocean's 11 upon its debut was that the film does not condemn the protagonists for their actions and in the end they are not truly punished for their crimes.

While critics had mixed feelings about Ocean's 11 upon its initial release, audiences were much more receptive to the movie. The film grossed $5,500,000 at the box office and was the 8th highest grossing film of 1960. The film has continued to be popular since its release, to the point that there can be no doubt that it numbers among Frank Sinatra's most popular films.

Of course, while Frank Sinatra is the star of Ocean's 11, the movie was very much a team effort. Arguably it is Dean Martin as Sam Harmon and Sammy Davis, Jr. as Josh Howard who steal the show. Indeed, they are the only members of the Rat Pack who actually get to sing in the movie. Dean Martin sings the classic "Ain't That a Kick in the Head", while Sammy Davis sings "Eee-O-11". Other members of the cast also gave impressive performances, including Peter Lawford as rich mama's boy Jimmy Foster and Cesar Romero as not quite so reformed mobster Duke Santos.

The success of Ocean's 11 would have a lasting impact. While it was far from the first caper movie (The Asphalt Jungle, Rififi, and The Lavender Hill Mob, among others, pre-date it), Ocean's 11 would spur a cycle towards light hearted caper films that includedTopkapi, Gambit, How to Steal a Million, and yet others that lasted for much of the Sixties.

While Frank Sinatra would appear with members of the Rat Pack in other films (most notably Sergeants 3 and Robin and the 7 Hoods), Ocean's 11 remained the only film in which the entirety of the Rat Pack appeared in significant roles. It also remained by far the most successful. Today it remains one of Frank Sinatra's most popular films and one of his highest grossing films as well. While critics may have have given the film mixed reviews upon its release, it has remained a favourite with audiences ever since.